USABA Blind Ski Festival in VT

Visually Impaired Can Learn Alpine or Nordic Skiing and Racing

Dec 6, 2008

United States Association of Blind Athletes' Winter Ski Festival enables sight-impaired athletes, including veterans with eye injuries, to ski for fun or competition.

Blind and visually impaired athletes can participate in four sessions of Alpine or Nordic skiing with opportunities to learn basic racing techniques in either sport, with events are catered to each athlete’s age and skill level.

As it did with its Mission Vision initiative launched in July 2008, the USABA is extending invitations to and will host active duty military personnel and veterans with eye injuries. All participants must be USABA members.

Ski Festival Part of USABA's Mission to Develop Blind Athletes

The USABA, which develops blind athletes and promotes sports and recreation for the blind with camps, competitions, and advocacy, is co-sponsoring the weekend event with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports (VASS), who will pair each skier with a trained guide, the Gibney Family Foundation, and U.S. Paralympic Committee.

In addition, the New England chapter of the National Association of Parents of the Visually Impaired (NAPVI) will conduct support meetings for parents while their children to participate in the ski programs.

The Alpine events take place at Pico Ski Resort in Killington, the Nordic program at the Mountain Top Inn in Chittenden. Participants stay at the Mendon Mountainview Lodge (800.368.4311) with daily transportation provided to both venues. The weekend concludes with a banquet at the Killington Grand Hotel.

USABA Winter Ski Festival is a Paralympic Academy Event

The USABA Winter Ski Festival is also a Paralympic Academy designed to introduce Paralympic sports. This year, all skiers will learn about goalball, the leading blind team sport and one of the two Paralympic sports (the other is judo) governed by the USABA.

The USABA (Colorado Springs, CO) was founded in 1976 as a community-based organization of the United States Olympic Committee with the goal of developing elite athletes and championing the abilities of Americans who are legally blind. The USABA has extended the opportunity for participation in sports and physical activity to over 100,000 blind and visually impaired individuals.

Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports (Killington, VT) is a nonprofit providing recreation for the disabled with adaptive programs, including sailing, canoeing, kayaking, cycling, horseback riding, hiking, and rock climbing, throughout Vermont. VASS serves individuals with a wide range of physical, mental, and developmental disabilities, providing instruction and assistance to ensure maximum enjoyment and satisfaction from their experience.

Call Mark Lucas (USABA) at 719.630.0422 or Donna Stanley (VT Adaptive) at 802.353.7584 for more information.

The copyright of the article USABA Blind Ski Festival in VT in Accessible Recreation is owned by Andrew Leibs. Permission to republish USABA Blind Ski Festival in VT in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.